Q: Is the expression “fold like a cheap suit” or “fold like a cheap suitcase”? Most of the people I’ve asked think it should be “suit,” but I remember it as “suitcase.” A: The verb “fold” has been used for hundreds of years to mean “give way,” “collapse,” or “fail.” But it’s been used for only a few dozen years in expressions like the ones you’re asking about. There are many variations on the “fold” theme, including “fold like a cheap tent,” “fold like a cheap lounge chair,” and “fold like a cheap camera” (a reference to the inexpensive folding cameras of days gone by). These expressions, sometimes called “snowclones” by linguists, follow a verbal pattern (like “X is the new Y” or, in this case, “fold like a cheap X”) into which various words can be inserted by people too lazy to come up with new clichés. In a 2004 post on the Language Log, the linguist Geoffrey K. Pullum credits the economist Glen Whitman with coining the term for “these non-sexually reproduced journalistic textual templates.”
The linguist Arnold Zwicky, in discussing the “fold like a cheap X” formula on his blog in 2009, questions the use of the word “suit” here, then suggests a possible explanation for the usage. “Suit would not have been my first choice as a filler for X, suits (even cheap ones) not being notable for ease of folding,” he writes. “But maybe the cliché ‘all over someone like a cheap suit’ promoted suit for X.” Zwicky mentions several other choices as a filler for X, including “shirt,” “umbrella,” “cocktail umbrella,” “lawn chair,” “deck chair,” “card table,” “pocket-knife,” “wallet,” “blanket,” and “accordion.” The earliest example in writing that we could find for any of these “fold like a cheap X” expressions is from White Rat: A Life in Baseball, a 1987 memoir by Whitey Herzog: “The Phils, I think, were secretly rooting for the Cardinals to win the second half because they knew they could throw Steve Carlton at us in the mini-playoffs and we’d fold like a cheap tent.”
The earliest written example we’ve found for the “suitcase” version is from All Out, a 1988 novel by Judith Alguire: “She folded like a cheap suitcase.” And the first written example we’ve found for the “suit” formula is from Another 48 Hours, Deborah Chiel’s 1990 novelization of the Eddie Murphy/Nick Nolte film: “Wilson folded like a cheap suit to the ringing applause of everyone present.” And now we’ll fold like a cheap laptop and call it a day. Help support the Grammarphobia Blog with your donation. And check out our books about the English language.Home / Customer Service / Shop Internationally Planning a visit to the United States? Or have friends and family in the U.S.? Shop at Sears to get everything you want—including great gifts for yourself or others. You'll be happy to see how online shopping in the U.S. couldn't be easier. Simply use an international credit card. shop Sears U.S. now
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I could buy new nylon strapping to replace, but I decided to try something different. I removed what's left of the nylon by wiggling the metal anchor out of it's place. If the anchors are stubborn, try pliers. (That metal can be recycled.)Cut away all strapping and remove anchors. « PreviousNext »View All Steps Download Made in the USAAmerican Flag Pattern Folding Patio Quad Chair Padded Camping Chair with Footrest Reclining Camp Navy and Silver Grey Patio Chair Black Ventura Seat Portable Recreational Recliner Quattro Lax Double Quad Chair 27.5 in. x 27.5 in. Elite Quad Blue Patio Chair Gray Heavy Duty Folding Patio Armchair Premium Canopy Chair in Red Navy Reflex Portable Reclining Travelling CouchAluminum Roll Slate Graphite Grey Adult Table with Storage Red Sports Portable Folding Patio Chair Campsite Folding Camp Navy and Grey Patio Chair Reclining Camp Black and Grey Patio Chair Padded Camping Chair in Red Camouflage Sports Portable Folding Patio Chair